Living off campus may very well mean being alienated from everyone on campus, struggling to park in the commuter lot and being apart from most of your friends, but there is more to living off campus than just that.
“When I first had to move off campus, I thought I would hate it not being right there for class, meetings and friends,” senior media production major Alisha Gordon said. “After actually living away from the Quinnipiac bubble I could not be happier. There is a sort of sense of freedom that you get living on your own.”
Gordon lives eight to 10 minutes from campus at Sutton Towers on Mix Avenue. The timing, she mentions, all relies on how many red lights you “hit” or “slow people you are behind.”
At Sutton Towers, Gordon has the added benefit of being a short distance away from all of the supermarkets and restaurants everyone goes to.
“Especially living in the location I do, I am just around the corner from every restaurant and store I could ever need. A trip to the market is a quick errand when you don’t have to worry about the shuttles or maneuvering down Whitney Avenue,” Gordon said.
Another benefit to commuting to campus is not having the “higher-ups” watch every move you make.
“With all of the policies and regulations, the higher-ups of Quinnipiac ultimately have control over your every move on campus,” Gordon said.
Being a commuter makes it a lot easier to go to places off campus. Gordon doesn’t have to worry about taking a shuttle to town, or getting her car off campus.
“I have been stuck waiting for the Quinnipiac shuttle for over 45 minutes. It is simply illogical to have two shuttle buses running to the same lot one after another leaving students waiting forever,” Gordon said.
An additional benefit to being a commuter is that you have more variety in what you can eat, than just relying on the Café Q or Bobcat Den.
“The cafe tries to put on a show like it offers variety. With the themed stations, at first sight you would think they do. But after a few days, it is clear that it is just the same recipes recycled day by day. If you like eating the same food every day, it’s great, but as far a variety goes, it’s just not there,” Gordon said.
One negative to living off campus is the parking situation that most commuters loathe. Gordon takes it in stride by driving to campus about 30 minutes before her class begins to get a spot and make class on time.
Gordon commends the university’s efforts to amend their flaws in parking.
“Security has recently been opening up the Law School as commuter parking during the busy hours when every lot fills,” she said.
If Gordon could change anything to make life easier living off campus now that she has had a taste of what it is like, “I would group my classes more so that I don’t have to drive back and forth as much,” Gordon said.
So how does Gordon keep from feeling distant from QU? She involves herself as much as possible in the organizations she is part of. She is a charter member for Quinnipiac’s newly founded sorority Kappa Alpha Theta, as well as Off-Campus Event Coordinator for Residence Hall Council and a member of Lambda Pi Eta.
“Not only do I stay up to date, but it gives me a chance to see everyone and have a great time when I do go to campus,” Gordon said.
